Ms Averil Power:

Right now, each country negotiates for itself with the pharmaceutical industry regarding pricing. We have highlighted slow access to drugs for Irish patients and that we have the second-slowest access to new cancer medicines in Europe, which means patients are being denied access to life-saving and life-changing drugs. Part of the solution and something we have advocated for is a European solution to that issue. If the EU as a whole negotiated with pharmaceutical companies on fair prices for European citizens, that would have the potential to dramatically improve the picture in Ireland. It is incredibly distressing for someone to be diagnosed with a life-limiting cancer and know that if they lived in another European country or up the road in Northern Ireland, they would get access to a drug with the potential to save or prolong their life but, because they live in the Republic of Ireland, they do not have access to it. It is a complicated issue and the Government does not have an endless budget. We are very aware of the opportunity cost, particularly of expensive new medicines, but we have to find a solution. Part of that solution is European bargaining power and the EU working on behalf of all EU citizens to make sure we all get fair access.